PacifiCorp wants more money and has asked for a raise of approximately $84.4 million. Starting May 24 through June 22, the public, customers, and other interested people are encouraged to comment by the Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) to the Commissioners about the utilities’ 6.8% general rate increase.
The rate increases vary by customer type – residential, business, or industrial customers. For a Corvallis single-family home using an average 900 kilowatt-hour (kWh) a month, their electric bill will increase around 14.16%, or an additional $13. Meanwhile a multi-family home using 600kWh will see their rates go up 11%, or about $7.
Utilities are monopolies, because when you move into a home you have no choice on who to buy your electricity or natural gas from.
Besides the PUC, the Oregon Citizens’ Utility Board, the Alliance of Western Energy Consumers and other agencies will participate in a nearly yearlong investigation of PacifiCorp’s rate increase request.
PacifiCorp claims the increases are being driven by several reasons, including costs for closing coal plants and transitioning to more renewable sources, specifically the TB Flats Wind Energy Project. The PUC also wrote that the utility giant points to increased costs associated with its vegetation management programs, expansion of its wildfire mitigation programs, inflation, and changes to its capital structures.
Luckily, we have the opportunity to be heard concerning the current request for rate increase. There will be a public hearing which the public may attend tonight.
To join the Tuesday May 24 meeting from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. by zoom or phone, use the link at the top of the PUC agenda. Alternatively, comments may be submitted through June 22 by email to PUC.PublicComments@puc.oregon.gov, by calling 503-378-6600 or 800-522-2404 (all relay calls accepted, Spanish translation services available) or by mail to Oregon Public Utility Commission, Attn: AHD – UE 399, PO Box 1088, Salem, OR 97308-1088.
By Stacey Newman Weldon
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